Muriatic Acid

[Liddlbit7]

So I just made a HUGE mistake - my alkalinity is 120. I used the Pool Math app but entered 140,000 instead of 14,000 - it told me to add a whole gallon of Muriatic acid - thankfully I didn’t but I did add half a gallon - then I just kept thinking this is just too much - now I’m panicking - any suggestions are very welcome

 

[IceShadow]

Test your pH and TA and let us know what it is.

 

[Liddlbit7]

Test your pH and TA and let us know what it is.

How long should I wait to test?

 

[CarolineM]

You can test now

 

[ajw22]

pH and alkalinity go together. You never look at them independently.

A TA of 120 may be fine depending on what your pH is. It would not necessarily be a reason alone to add chemicals.

 

[mknauss]

Poolmath log is being shared -- pH of 7.6 and TA of 120. No reason to add MA, but as you have, just test pH. It might be about 7. Just use aeration to raise it back up.

 

[Liddlbit7]

Alk is 130 and pH is 8.0 +. Added Muriatic acid about 30 mins ago

 

[mknauss]

Alk is 130 and pH is 8.0 +. Added Muriatic acid about 30 mins ago

Be sure to use your app to record tests if you wish us to use them.

EDIT --- I did not realize this was a new test --- questionable after adding 64oz of MA.

 

[Liddlbit7]

Poolmath log is being shared -- pH of 7.6 and TA of 120. No reason to add MA, but as you have, just test pH. It might be about 7. Just use aeration to raise it back up.

You know. I wasn’t going to do anything with the 120 but pool math had range of max of 90 and I have had some algae issues - so I went against my gut instinct

 

[mknauss]

had range of max of 90

If you look at that range in Recommended Levels - Trouble Free Pool it says 90+. There is no high side with a vinyl liner pool.

 

[IceShadow]

So the pH of 8.0+ is the current test? One would expect pH to be low after adding too much acid, not high....

 

[Liddlbit7]

So the pH of 8.0+ is the current test? One would expect pH to be low after adding too much acid, not high....

Yea I am confused - I am going to test again because I don’t get it either

 

[CarolineM]

Is your pump on so the water is being mixed up?

 

[Liddlbit7]

Yes - and I also set the valves to bipass the heater so the acidity wouldn’t affect the core

 

[Liddlbit7]

Yea I am confused - I am going to test again because I don’t get it either

7.2

 

[mknauss]

7.2

No worries. Let it rise to 8 before adjusting again.

 

[Liddlbit7]

Wasn’t the disaster I was expecting.....phew

 

[ajw22]

You know. I wasn’t going to do anything with the 120 but pool math had range of max of 90 and I have had some algae issues - so I went against my gut instinct

That’s why we have the Forum. If in doubt ask here. Never add stuff to your pool unless you know what effect it will have.

pH and TA have nothing to do with algae issues.